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The Huron Expositor, 1994-12-14, Page 9II -THE HURON EXPOSITOR. DDcembor 14, 1994 � News and Views Wingham's Reeve new Huron Warden BY MARK CRIPPS former Expositor reporter Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan will serve as the 1995 Huron County Warden after his nomination went uncontested at the inaugural County Council meeting held Dec. 6. Known to his friends as 'Brucey', Machan has been involved in municipal politics for 12 years, beginning on Wingham Council and moving up to the position of Reeve, in which he has served for the past nine years. Machan also owns and operates a plumbing and heating contracting business in the Wingham area. In his opening address, Machan said "I feel that I have something to offer the county, with my municipal experience and business background, and with my fellow councillors will enable us to progress to keep with the times. "I feel we have a lot on our plate for the upcoming year, namely the redevelopment of the old Huronview for our new library headquarters and health unit office. There is also the ongoing battle with waste management, and the restoration of the court house. "I'm sure that by working as a team, we can show the taxpayers that we are worthy of their confidence." When asked how he felt about being acclaimed to the position of Warden, Machan said, "it's very comforting in an election year to be acclaimed at home (Wingham) and in the county. I think it's a great honour." Hullett approves accounts payment Hullett Township Council approved accounts totalling $118,650.60 for November at its Dec. 5 regular meeting, comprised of road accounts of $69,867.95 and general accounts amounting to $48,782.64. Council also contracted Business Computer Services for the preparation of 1995 tax billings for the municipality. Machan said he doesn't "see a problem" with the recent county council restructuring. "It's a step in the right direction," he said. Under the changes installed last year, county council was reduced from 32 to 26 councillors. In the restructuring, Goderich, the county's largest town, ended up with four, weighted votes.• "I don't think the weighted votes will be a problem," he said. "I think we, still will work together as a team up here and a long as that effort and desire exists, I think everything will work well." The inaugural session of county council welcomed a number of new members to the table. Seven of the 26 councillors are new, and four have moved up from Deputy Reeve positions. In total, 12 of tie former 32 members of countycouncil have retired or were not re-elected in the November municipal election. Some the big jlayers gone include Tom Tomes, Dave Gower, Marie Hicknell, Lossy Fuller, John Doherty and Howard Armstrong. Also gone are Bee Cooke, Lionel Wilder, David Lee, Bob Fisher and Ernie Snell. When asked about the absence of some notable councillors, Machan said, "it's always tough to replace MARE CRIPPS PHOTO NEW WARDEN - Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan has been acclaimed as Warden of Huron County. Crop consultant plans to appeal recent conviction BY MARK CRIPPS former Expositor reporter A Huron County agricultural crop consultant says he intends to appeal his Nov. 17 conviction for knowingly giving bad herbicide advice to a local farmer. "My appeal will be a environmental and moral grounds," said Mervyn Erb, owner of AgVise in Brucefield. Erb was fined $1,500 by Goderich Justice of the Peace Karen Sturdy for violating The Ontario Pesticides Act. Erb admits that. he told Zurich farmer Neil Gingerich to use less of a well-known herbicide than the manufactures recommend when spraying a soybean crop last year. "I don't really think Justice of the Peace Sturdy knew what to do," said Erb. "I'm not happy with her decision. It sets a dangerous precedent. "I don't want to shake her tree, but I've talked it over with my legal council and have decided to appeal." In May of 1993, vapour from a herbicide called Merit, travelled onto a neighbouring nursery property while Gingerich was treating his own crops. Some sapling leaves turned yellow. Merit is known to cause this colour change in most any type of plant. Erb, who recommended the combination of herbicides Gingerich used, was charged after environment ministry investigators discovered that Gingerich had applied less than the prescribed solution of Merit. (Subsequently,' Erb, who recommended he mixture was also charged). Gingerich immediately offered compensation to the nursery owner, but Erb said: "I got caught in the cross-fire. "My recommendations to Mr. Gingerich had nothing to do with the escape of pesticides from his property. "The big problem is, according to what happened here, is it is now illegal tb use less pesticide than is prescribed on the label. "That's an awful thing. Using less is environmentally friendly. Who says you have to use more than you think is needed? "Yes, I guess I'm guilty. Guilty of telling Mr. Gingerich to use less Merit than the prescribed amount." Erb said the Merit herbicide is a good product, but former users have shied away from it because application restrictions make it difficult to manage. "It's made to vaporize as soon as the jug is opened," said Erb. "when this happens, it moves into the air, and in Mr. Gingerich's case, it carried across the road." Erb said, initially, the owner of the nursery had no idea what had caused the damage to his trees and' thought it might be a disease. "Then the Ministry of the Environment came and said, 'it's a pesticide escape from across the road.' Then they charged Gingerich." Erb said the problem with pesticide escape from the Merit product is common across Ontario. cont. on pg. 9 some of these people and their experience. I think we have some food people coming to county council for the first time and I think we'll work out well," In his closing address, outgoing Warden Allan Gibson said, "it's been a busy year. "We have solved some of our problems with our new homes for the aged and made quite a lot of progress with getting things finalized there. We have also got to the point where the redevelopment of the old Huronview home is actually in construction at this point and it will hopefully be finished in 1995." Gibson also mentioned progress on the emergency 911 system in the county, and the refurbishing project for the Huron County Court House which is currently in the planning stage and expected to be late in 1995. 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